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A year ago, I went on a semi-rant about the NFL’s lack of involvement with domestic violence awareness (you can read all about it here). This year I am taking my rant a tad bit louder. Let me start by saying, I LOVE FOOTBALL. My favorite teams is the Jets. I am a loyal supporter even when they disappoint me. However, i am also a health educator and have a responsibility to educate the public about health issues. So despite my love, for football, educate I will.

On December 3, 2013, HuffPost Live aired “NFL Domestic Violence,” after Jovan Belcher fatally shot his girlfriend and later himself. According to HuffPost Live, 21 of 32 NFL teams had a player charged with domestic violence that year. Even still, the NFL has not stepped up to the plate and taken an active role in addressing domestic violence. While I appreciate their involvement in the breast cancer movement, domestic violence is just as important of a movement. While I commend players like Chris Canty and Chris Johnson on speaking out against domestic violence the NFL needs to step up as an organization and not only acknowledge but carry out programming to discuss their employees roles in all of this madness.

It’s been a blessing and a curse. I have seen the savageness of domestic violence. I have been afraid that one day I would get a call that would change my life. It is easy to say what we won’t do or allow to happen. Honestly, none of us knows just what we will do. All we can do is hope that we won’t be a victim.

While going through my twitter timeline @maliykaishealth, I came across the above tweet. As you may or may not know, in addition to October being Breast Cancer Awareness month, it is also Domestic Violence Awareness month. I wonder how many people knew that?

I am a big football lover. In spite of my Jets disappointing me, I am loyal to them. As soon as October began, I noted the uniform change. The players wore pink sneakers and gloves. Coaches, including my beloved Rex Ryan wore a sweater vest with the breast cancer logo on it. I approved of this uniform change however, I was disappointed. On a few occasions, I tweeted the NFL asking them where the attire representative of Domestic Violence awareness was? There is no question that breast cancer is a serious disease but is it more important than domestic violence?

We live in a blame the victim society. The fact that breast cancer in no shape, form or fashion is really preventable seems to have entitled the disease to more attention than domestic violence. There is no question that a lot of times, domestic violence victims have placed themselves in situations that had they not they would not be victims. However, that does not negate the fact that they are being victimized and deserve support.

Domestic Violence is a costly and deadly occurrence. It deserves more attention than what it is getting. It deserves the same amount of attention that breast cancer is getting. The nation should be painted purple and pin in honor of the victims and survivors. Sport teams should pay homage to both causes at the same time. Wear purple gloves and pink sneakers or perhaps one of each. Have multiple logos placed on team uniforms. Speak out just as frequently on domestic violence as is done for breast cancer. By ignoring the cause you are telling the women who really had no recourse that they are not important. Only S&M victims like to intentionally be abused. They get off sexually. Domestic Violence victims are not getting off sexually. They are not asking to be hit or abused in any matter purposefully. Unless you are in their shoes, you don’t know how hard it is for them to leave.

Let make October 2013 the first time ever where both causes are given prominent shine. Let’s find a cure for breast cancer and end domestic violence. They both are issues that plagued our society. they both deserve the same amount of attention. Who is down with me for the cause.

Todays prescription: Honor yourself and never let anyone take from you who you are.